HRV girls get first wins, take second place at Albany Pink Ribbon tourney with comebacks

Perhaps the Hood River Valley girls’ basketball team should change its uniform color to pink.

After struggling to put together a consistent game in a winless stretch to open the season, the Eagles marched into Albany and rallied to stun the McKay Royal Scots 50-44 in the opening round of the Pink Ribbon Tournament.

The Eagles erased a six-point halftime deficit using an aggressive matchup zone, and eventually overcame the Scots with a 20-point fourth quarter. Brianne Rowley led the Eagles with 18 points, while Meredith Danko added 12.

The Eagles had yet another comeback up their sleeves in the second round, a 43-41 win over South Albany.

The Eagles used clutch free throws and key defensive stops at the end of the game with Meagan Clark, Meredith Danko, Rachel Schlosser and Audrey Mallon all hitting key shots down the stretch.

Danko led the Eagles with 18 points while Mallon added 12.

In the championship game, the Eagles proved to be no match for West Albany, the No. 3 -anked 5A school in the state, and fell 54-23 to take second place in the tournament.

The effort of two come-from-behind wins finally caught up with the Eagles as the Bulldogs led from start to finish.

“I was really proud of the effort and intensity demonstrated in all three games,” Eagles coach Phil Hukari said.